10 Tips for Boosting Immunity
Written by Dr. Nalini Chilkov
Taking care of your immune system is the key to getting well and staying well. Incorporate these simple elements into your daily life and you will enjoy robust immunity and vitality.
Sleep Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night (Talk to your health care provider about supplementing with Melatonin which also supports normal antioxidant function). Normal sleep cycle is linked to reduced rates of cancer.
Exercise Make Sure you get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day
Nutritional Insurance and Supplementation Take a high potency high quality multi vitamin daily (iron free and copper free) check with your doctor first. Itís often hard to eat during treatment and your nutrient needs are increased. Taking a high quality supplement is a good insurance policy.
Adequate Protein is crucial to Robust Immunity Make sure you get 3-4 servings of high quality protein daily (or use protein powders, smoothies and shakes to supplement). Although plant based diets show lower rates of cancer, it is not required to be vegetarian or vegan to eat a healthy anti-cancer diet. Low immunity as well as poor wound healing is linked to inadequate protein intake.
Enhance Your Adaption to Stress Ongoing stress saps immunity and resistance to illness. Use Adaptogenic Herbs such as Astragalus, Ganoderma, Cordyceps, Ginseng, Eleutherococcus (Siberian ginseng), Ashwaganda, Agaricus, Rhodiola (with the permission of your doctor)
Promote Healthy Intestinal Ecology rich in Friendly Bacteria Eat Fermented foods or take a probiotic supplement (ask your doctor first). The healthy friendly bacteria in your gut is actually a vital and essential part of normal immunity as well as normal detoxification, normal inflammation control and normal detoxification.
Supplement with Vitamin D Ask your health care provider to perform a blood test to make sure your Vitamin D levels are between 55-80 ng/ml. Low levels of Vitamin D have been linked to increased rates of infection and increased rates of cancer.
Eat more mushrooms (be sure you do not have a food sensitivity first). Mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides and beta glucans that enhance normal robust immunity. Mushrooms are also rich in Selenium which has been shown to be a vital nutrient to normal immune and cardiovascular health. (Tip: you can also get a daily dose of Selenium from just 2 brazil nuts daily!)
Try Acupuncture to Increase Your Natural Killer Cells which are part of your immune systemís army that specifically targets viral infections and tumor cells.
Meditate Daily for at least 20 minutes once or twice daily. Meditation not only has a positive impact on immunity but also on mood, sleep, concentration and memory.
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Dr. Nalini Chilkov, L.Ac., O.M.D. is a leading edge authority in the field of Integrative Cancer Care, Cancer Prevention and Immune Enhancement. She is the Founder of IntegrativeCancerAnswers.com where she offers online programs and resources that empower and transform. Dr. Chilkov brings over 30 years of clinical experience combining the best of Modern Functional Medicine with the ancient wisdom of Traditional Oriental and Natural Healing. She is a highly respected expert in her field, a frequent speaker at conferences, educational institutions and a trusted resource to the media.
